NAC of Idaho supports peyote habitat congressional funding
By JEANETTE WOLFLEY
WASHINGTON D.C. — On March 9 and 10, Tribal Native American Church (NAC) leaders testified to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies seeking support for a proposed peyote habitat protection project for the unique geographic area where the plant grows naturally.
Portions of southwestern Texas and northern Mexico are where private licensed landowners grow and sell the peyote plant Native American Church members who travel to Texas to harvest the plant for traditional ceremonies.
The proposed project is seeking grant funding of $5 million to establish a fund to compensate private lands for converting their lands into protected peyote habitat, that would be managed to conserve and protect peyote plants, under the regulations and policies of the Natural Resource Conservation Service programs. The project will be cooperative and collaborative effort between the federal government, tribes, Native American Church members and private landowners.
The peyote plant grows naturally in cultivated habitat, and require no maintenance because they receive moisture by natural weather patterns. Increasing land use practices in South Texas have dramatically reduced the amount, size, extend and density of the peyote plants. Texas private cattle ranches generally limit Native American Church members from accessing their lands for harvesting peyote, and they have also fenced out trespassers to enable them to offer game hunting within their lands. Expanding urban sprawl, ranching and agriculture has influenced and increased the prices of peyote, with smaller peyote buttons available.
Jon Brady, President of the Native American Church of North America and of the Fort Berthold Native American Church Chapter stated, “To implement the proposed Peyote Habitat Demonstration Project we recommend that the project be guided by a steering committee that would have representatives from federally recognized tribes, tribal religious leaders and organizations such as NACNA and Native American Church of Oklahoma, state and federal agencies that administer conservation programs, federal agencies with jurisdiction over Peyote, and farming and ranching associations that represent the interest of relevant private landowners. The committee will work collaboratively to create and implement a regional peyote conservation plan for the managed revitalization and managed harvest of peyote.”
Franklin Devinney, on behalf of the Native American Church of Idaho, submitted written testimony to the House Subcommittee. Almost a century ago, the Native American Church of Idaho was organized and incorporated in Idaho on April 1, 1925. Board President Devinney stressed the importance of the holy sacrament – “To our NAC members, the sacred peyote contains powers to heal body, mind and spirit. It is a teacher; it teaches the way to spiritual life through living in harmony and balance with the forces of the creation. Peyote is believed to embody a spiritual deity and the ingestion of the peyote assists church participants in communicating directly with the Creator. As Indigenous people, we have strong ties to the earth and environment by relying heavily on natural herbal and mineral medicines, such as peyote. Peyote plays a vital role in strengthening and healing individuals, families, communities, and the tribe. Therefore, it is imperative that peyote in Texas continues to remain available for our people, now, and into the distant future.” NAC of Idaho Board members are: Franklin Devinney, President; Anthony Broncho, Vice-President; Lemuel Stone, Custodian; Shanna Devinney, Secretary; Wanda Devinney, Treasurer; Sandy Navo, Member; and Sarah Tendoy, Member.
The Fort Hall Business Council approved a resolution in support of this proposed demonstration project to protect the peyote.
